X-ray spot film tunnel



April 26, 1949. D. sus sm X-RAY SPOT FILM TUNNEL Filed' March 4, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 wgwmw ATTO R N EYS A 26,1949. D. sussm X-RAY SPOT FILM TUNNEL Filed March 4, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 v +5 mm mm @MU mm mm INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 26, 1949 X-RAY SPOT FILM TUNNEL David. Sussin, South Fort Mitchell, Ky., assignor to The Kelley-Koett Manufacturing Company, Covington, Ky., a corporation of Ohio Application March 4, 1946, Serial No. 651,890

- 7 Claims. 1

This invention relates to X-ray photography, and more particularly to a spot film tunnel for use in X-ray photography.

There are many occasions in the course of X- ray examinations in which the examining physician is desirous of obtaining a photographic record which is contemporaneous with the examination. A spot film tunnel is a device by which such a contemporaneous photograph may be obtained and in general comprises a support which may either be placed on the fluoroscopic screen of an X-ray table or utilized in place of the ordinary screen, in which case a screen is embodied within the tunnel itself. A cassette holding the film may be placed in a section of the tunnel and protected by lead from X-rays emanating from the table until a picture is to be made. It is highly advantageous for the examining physician to be able to observe the patient through the fiuoroscope and concurrently to cause the cassette to shift from its protected position to a position of direct exposure to the X-rays so that the desired picture can be made practically simultaneously.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved spot film tunnel which will utilize roll film and which is so constructed that fluoroscopic examinations can be made between exposures of the film without damage to either the exposed or unexposed portions of the film.

A further object is to provide a spot film tunnel for X-ray photography which will utilize roll film and which can be loaded and unloaded in daylight while the tunnel is in working position in conjunction with X-ray examination apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved spot film tunnel of the above type having intensifying screens which will be in close contact with the film during exposure but which will be held free of the film at other times and particularly during relative travel of the film in the device.

An additional object is to provide a spot film tunnel wherein the intensifying screens for the film are removable from the line of sight through the viewing screen during fluoroscopy and are thus prevented from reducing the intensity of the fluoroscopic image.

It is also an object to provide a spot film tunnel of the above type which is so constructed as to permit the exposed portion of the film to be cut off and removed from the apparatus for immediate development without exposure or other danger to the remainder of the film.

Another object is to provide a spot film tunnel for X-ray photography which can be mounted on an X-ray examination table and used in all positions from Trendelenburg to vertical, and also which will permit the insertion of palpating cones without affecting the moving parts of the apparatus.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

In the drawings, in which like characters of reference designate like parts throughout Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating a spot film tunnel embodying a preferred form of the invention, and shown mounted on an X-ray examination table;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the spot film tunnel shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the carriage member which is mounted within the spot film tunnel and carries the film box;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the film box, the view being partially exploded and with parts broken away to show details of internal construction;

Fig. 5 is a partial enlarged plan view of the device shown in Fig. 2, with a portion of the cover broken away to show internal construction;

Fig. 6 is a section taken substantially on the line 5-8 in Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of the device shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view in longitudinal section of the film box;

Fig. 9 is an end elevation of the film box, with the film container removed and a portion of the wall broken away to show internal construction;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail View taken in section substantially on the line |0l0 in Fig. 5; and

Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail view illustrating the control lever which also operates to move the intensifying screens from in contact with the film.

Referring first to Fig. 1, element 20 is representative of an X-ray examination table, along one side of which is mounted a right angled bracket 2| having longitudinal sliding movement by means such as the member 22 having a dovetail projection 23 engaging in a track 24 of complementary shape along table 20. A spot film tunnel designated generally as 25 carries a pair of longitudinally extending rods 26 engaging in the apertured arms 21 of a collar 28 slidably mounted on bracket 2| and adapted to be locked in a desired position by locking bolt 29. Bracket to prevent rotation of collar 20 thereon. Element30 in tunnel 25 represents a fluoroscopic cross section screen and it will be seen that the illustrated construction permits the tunnel to be moved either longitudinally or laterally'with respect to table.

20 in order to make possible fiuoroscopy or radiography at any desired portion of the table. v

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2 and 5 to 7, the film tunnel 25 comprises a generally rectangular box-like structure having a top 35, side walls 30 and 31, and end walls 38 preferably of steel or other suitable metal, and a bottom panel 39 of Bakelite or other suitable material readily permeable to X-ray radiation. 1 An opening of substantial size is provided in top wall 35 of the tunnel and is provided with a closure panel preferably hinged as indicated at Al to the top of the tunnel and provided with a suitable handle member 02. Top 35 of the tunnel is also apertured to provide a viewing area for fiuoroscope screen 30, which is shown as secured to the under side of top 35 by means of Z-shapedmembers 03 which may be riveted, spot welded, or otherwise secured to the under side of top 35.

A carriage member 50, shown in detail in Fig. 3, is mounted for longitudinal reciprocal movement within tunnel. 25. Carriage 50 is generally in the shape of an open'box, with side and end walls i preferably of metal and with the bottom 52 of metal, Bakelite or other material suitably permeable to X-ray radiation. This carriage is shown as suspended within tunnel 25 by means of rollers 53, which are secured to the ends of the carriage and ride in a. pair of channel members 50 mounted within tunnel 25 by means of angles 55, which may be brazed, welded, or otherwise secured to channels 50 and to the inner surface of top 35 of the tunnel. Angles 56 are secured to the ends of carriage 50 and carry a further set of rollers 51 arranged for rotation about axes perpendicular to the axes of rollers 53 and which bear against the outer surfaces of channels 54 to prevent lateral shifting and thereby help to guide the carriage in its forward and backward movement within the tunnel, this construction being seen most clearly in Figs. 5 and 6.

An arm 50 is pivoted at 59 within one of the side walls of carriage 50 and extends through a vertical slot 60 in the adjacent end wall of the carriage and out through a longitudinally extended slot 6! in side wall 30 of tunnel 25, a knob 52 being provided at the outer end of the arm for convenience in handling. This arm and knob provide a convenient handle exterior of the tun-' nel by which the operator can move carriage 50 back and forth in the tunnel at will. It should be noted that slots 50 and 0| are of such dimensions vertically as to permit some degree of oscillation of arm 58 about pivot point 50 for a purpose to be described hereinafter. Stop members 53 of rubber or like material may be positioned at each end of channels 54 for contact with rollers 53 at the end of each movement or the carriage.

A film box indicated generally by the reference in place. This film box is so designed that it can be loaded with a roll of X-ray sensitive film in a manner similar to an ordinary camera and then inserted in the tunnel 25 while the latter is mounted upon an X-ray examination table without danger of accidental exposure. The overall dimensions of the film box are accordingly such that it may readily be inserted in the tunnel and removed therefrom'by lifting hinged cover 40 in the top of the tunnel.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 4 and 8, film box I0 is shown as having side walls I2 and I3 and end walls 10 and '15 preferably of Bakelite or similar material. The bottom'lfi of box 1015 recessed at 17 to provide a rectangular platformlike portion within the box and raised with respect to the. remainder thereof. A panel I0 of Bakelite provides a bottom for this recessed portion and the side walls 19 thereof may also be of Bakelite. A layer of lead is applied to these side walls I9 and also to the bottom I5 of the box to prevent the passage of X-rays and thereby to protect the film within the box, but this lead covering is omitted from Bakelite layer I0 since this is the area through which exposure of the film is made during radiography with the apparatus of the invention. The interior of film box I0 is divided by means of atransverse panel 0!, which may be of metal, Bakelite or other suitable material, into two compartments 02 and of unequal size. The larger compartment 02 is adapted to contain unexposed film and is provided with a suitable light-tight cover 84 of Bakelite or other suitable material hinged as at 85 to one of the walls of the box and provided with suitable latch devices 80. Within this compartment, means such as brackets 81 are provided for maintaining a roll of unexposed X-ray sensitive film 80, which is preferably of the double emulsion type. Film 00 is shown as passing through a pair of guide rolls 80 and between an intensifying screen mounted on Bakelite panel 10, and a second intensifying screen 9| carried by a Bakelite panel 02 and adapted to be held in contact with the film by a spring 93 carried by cover 00.

Two pairs of friction rollers I00 and HM shown as knurled in Fig. 5, are mounted on shafts I02 and I03 and are adapted to grip the edges of film 88 to advance it through the film box after each exposure. The driving mechanism for these rollers and shafts is shown most clearly in Figs. 5, 6 and 10. Shaft I02 is provided with a tongued end I00 adapted to engage in a complementary transverse slot I05 at the inner end of a stub shaft I06 journaleol in the side wall of carriage 50 and carrying a bevel gear l0? on its outer end. The tongue and slot connection between members I00 and I05 provides for ready engagement and disengagement between shafts I02 and I00 when the film box is inserted in the carriage or removed,

of set screw H5 to sleeve member H6 mounted for rotation on shaft I I1 carried by a yoke formed by bending out the ends IIB of bracket II I. The upper end of shaft- II! has pinned thereto at H9 a pinion I20 meshing with a rack I2I having an offset extension I 22 by which it is secured to top 35 of the tunnel 25 by brazing or other suitable means.

The above construction provides that when carriage 50 is moved back and forth within the tunnel, the engagement between pinion I and rack I2I causes rotation of shaft II'I. Means are also provided for connecting shaft I11 and sleeve IIG together in such manner that when the carriage moves one way in the tunnel sleeve I IE will rotate with shaft Ill, and when the carriage moves the other way sleeve II6 will be disconnected from shaft Ill and will not rotate there with. For example, a ratchet member I23 may be secured by a set screw I24, or pin to shaft I I! and adapted for engagement with pawl I25, which is pivotally mounted at I26 on annular plate I21 integral with, as shown, or otherwise secured to sleeve HE. A suitable spring, not shown, may be provided for urging pawl I into the desired engagement with ratchet member I23 while permitting the pawl to ride freely over the teeth of the ratchet member when the carriage moves in the other direction. The size of these various gears and particularly the size and tooth arrangement of pinion I20 and rack I2I will preferably be so selected that during the complete movement in one direction of the carriage, and preferably on the return movement from its position for radiography, knurled rollers I00 and I M will be rotated sufficiently to advance film 88 the distance necessary to move the exposed area of film completely out of the way and to bring a fresh area of film in position for ex posure. This provides for uniform advancement of the film for each full cycle of movement by the carriage irrespective of the amount of unused film remaining on the roll, thus not only making possible the use of roll film without a spool but also insuring against unequal advance of film or undesirable stress thereon such as may result when the advance is produced by positive rotation of a take-up spool as in a conventional roll film camera.

Means are provided for indicating the advance of the film as in a camera. A ratchet wheel I30 is secured to a stub shaft I3I carried by a-suitable bracket I32 riveted, brazed, or otherwise secured within the tunnel. The other end of shaft I'3I carries a dial I33 on which numbers may be arranged in suitably spaced relation and adapted to register in the appropriate sequence with a viewing aperture I34 in cover 35 of the tunnel. Ratchet wheel I30 is adapted to be actuated by a pawl I35 mounted on an angle I 36 carried by one of the side walls of carriage 50. Spring I31 is provided to urge pawl I35 into contact with the teeth of ratchet I30 on the forward motion of the carriage but to permit it to ride over these teeth on the return stroke. A second pawl I38 and spring I39 may be mounted on bracket I32 to prevent rotation of ratchet I30 in the wrong direction. If desired, a knob I40 may be provided on the outside of the tunnel and secured to shaft I3I to set the indicator dial I33 in the desired position for each new film. Since the tunnel will normally be used in a darkened X-ray room, the numbers of indicator dial I33 should be luminous, or at least the last number should be luminous so as to indicate to the operator when the last exposure of the roll of film has been made.

Means are provided for actuating intensifying screen 9| so that it is pressed firmly into contact with film 88 during exposure but is lifted out of contact with the film while the latter is in motion within the film box in order to prevent scratching or other damage to the film. Bake lite panel 92 which carries intensifying screen 9| has at the sides a pair of ear members I adapted for engagement with the ends of a pair of lever arms I5l, which are secured at their other ends for rotation with a shaft I52 mounted within the film box. Another lever arm I53 is similarly secured to shaft I52 outside wall I2 of the film box and is adapted for engagement with an extension I54 on arm 58. This construction is shown in skeletal outline in Fig. 11 and is such that when arm 58 pivots downward in slots 60 and 65 about its pivot point 59, its extension I54 acts as a cam to force lever arm I53 in a clockwise direction with shaft I52 and thus raises lever arms I'5I and through them Bakelite panel 02. and its associated intensifying screen 9I. An elongated cam member I55 is secured to side wall 36 of tunnel 25 partially overlapping the elongated slot (H in said side wall, this cam being illustrated most clearly in Fig. 7. As shown, it has a step-down construction, with a greater portion I56 of its length extending down across slot iii to an extent sufiicient to force arm 58 downwardly about its pivot point 59 and thus to raise Bakelite panel 92 as described. Adjacent its left hand end as viewed in Fig; 7, cam I55 is cut away at I51. to permit arm 58 to rise under the tension transmitted thereto from spring 93 through lever arms I5l and I53. A roller I58 journaled on the end of arm 58 rides 30 on cam I55 to facilitate forward and backward motion,

The above construction insures that film 88 will be pressed firmly but yieldingly between intensifying screens 90 and SI during exposure, but by reason of the yieldable construction of spring 93 these members will be cushioned against too rapid contact such as might injure the film or result in uneven pressure. Furthermore, the positive release of the pressure between 0 the film and screens 90 and 9| during the advance of the film within the film box as the carriage moves across the tunnel prevents scratch- 7 ing or other injury of the film and screens 90 and manual control of carriage travel through lever arm 58 provides for smooth and quiet movement without jar or vibration such as may be caused by spring-actuated and like controls. It should be noted that an additional lever may be secured to the opposite end of the carriage from lever arm 58 to provide for ready control of the device by the left hand of the operator, which may be necessary under examination conditions requiring the use of the right hand for holding or manipulating the patients body. Such a left hand lever need not have a mechanical connection to the controls shown in Fig. 11 since the latter will function automatically upon movement by the carriage.

The film which has been exposed and is moved away from the exposing position by rollers and IOI, as described, is passed between a pair of inwardly extending horizontal lips I60 on panel tainer shown as a cylindrical casing I62 provided with extended lips I 53 enclosing a slot I64 and adapted for close registry with slot IBI. This casing I 62 may be mounted in suitable fashion within compartment 83 in film box ID as, for example by providing brackets I55 adapted to receive suitable locating and supporting lugs I66 on container I62 and indicated as having fiattened sides adapted to be guided by the sides of the complementary slots I67 in brackets I65 into the proper position of registry between lips I53 and slot IBI. With this construction the exposed film will be advanced by the rotation of rollers I and IIII and guided by lips I60 and I63 through slots ISI and IE6 into the interior of container I62, as is illustrated particularly in Fig. 8. The extended lips I63 protect the film against exposure to light when cover 430 is raised and also aid in preventing light from entering the interior of casing I62.

Means are provided for severing the film for immediate development and study without damaging the unexposed film still remaining in the film box and also for marking the film, as by notching, to indicate the margin between adjacent exposed areas thereof, such marking being desirable, for example, to provide guides for subsequently cutting the film up into individual strips for processing by equipment adapted to handle only cut film, Referring particularly to Figs. 4 and 9, a knife member I is mounted on panel 8I for downward movement across slot I6 I. This knife includes a main blade portion III of a width sufficient to extend across the entire film t8 and a small blade portion I12 offset below the main blade portion I7 I and at one end of the knife adapted to engage only the adjacent edge of the film. At its end adjacent blade portion I12, knife III] is provided with a vertically arranged slot H3 which receives pin I'M mounted in wall 8], slot I13 being of suificient length to permit limited linear vertical movement of this end of the knife as well as swinging movement aboutpin I'M. A spring I15 engages an outwardly turned lug I15 on knife I'IIJ below slot I73 and normally urges this end of the knife upward until pin I14 engages the bottom of slot I13. The opposite end of the knife is supported by a spring I", both of these springs being provided with mounting means permitting them to bow as well as to be compressed axially. A handle I86 spaced from the pivot point of the knife provides for control of the swinging movement of the knife about this pivot point, and a second handle. IBI is provided adjacent the pivot point.

With this construction, when downward pressure is applied to handle IBI, the knife will move downward substantially vertically until pin I74 engages the upper endof slot I13, since the heavier spring III will tend to hold up the'unpivoted end of the knife and thus prevent it from pivoting. This limited downward travel will force the smaller and offset blade portion I12 through the edge of the film to provide a notch, but slot H3 is of such length that the directly downward motion of the kmfe will be arrested before the longer blade portion I'II begins to cut. If, however, it is desired to sever the film completely, it is merely necessary to apply the downward pressure to handle I 80 to force the knifeto pivot about pin I'll and thus to sever the film, this cutting operation also being aided by slanting blade portionrlll as shown to provide for a shearing cut across thefilm.

The above construction provides for quickly and easily notching the edge of film 88 after each exposure to indicate the margin between adjacent pictures thereon. In addition, after the desired number of exposures have been made and the fllm collected in container I62, knife I10 may be operated to sever the exposed film from the remainder\ of the roll and easing I62 removed from the tunnel and taken immediately to the dark room for development. This operation will not damage the unexposed portion of the film since it is protected within the light-tight compartment 82 under cover M. Furthermore, since the severed end of the film is supported in lips IE0 or panel 8 I, it will not require rethreading but can continue to be fed into afibther container I62 which can be substituted for the one removed to the dark room.

A switch of suitable design and shape indicated generally at I90 is provided within the tunnel and positioned for actuation by the carriage for the proper controlling of the high tension circuit which is utilized in the X-ray apparatus for radiography. As shown lever IQI extends from switch I80 into the path of one of rollers 51 so that it will be moved into the on position by engagement with the roller when the carriage comes forward and will be returned to the "off position on the return movement of the carriage. This switch is preferably so connected that it will automaticallyincrease the power of the X-ray tube to cause exposure of the film, or it may merely turn on the necessary circuit to heat up be positioned to be actuated first, as by locating at the position shown at I90q. v

In using the above described embodiment of the invention film box 70 will usually be loaded away from the machine and then inserted in carriage 50 within the tunnel as described. During normal fluoroscopic examinations, the carriage and film box will be out of line with the fluoroscopic screen and in the position indicated in dotted lines at handle 62 along slot 6| to the forward end of the slot. The desired exposure may then be made either with switch I as described or-by means of the conventional treadle or'other switch. After the exposure is made, handle 62 is pushed back to the other end of slot 6|, carrying with it carriage 50, and during this motion the exposed film will be advanced into container I62. This operation may be repeated rapidly and as frequently as unexposed film remains within the film box, or it maybe interrupted if desired to sever the exposed. film and remove it for development and examination. When the film is entirely used up,

an alternate film box which may already have been loaded with fresh film may be substituted within the tunnel without moving it from the examination table and no precautions need be taken to prevent accidental exposure during this step, thus greatly speeding detailed examinations requiring many pictures. that since with the illustrated device the motion of the carriage will at all times be in a horizontal plane, complications resulting from a tendency to motion of the carriage by the forces of gravity are avoided not only when the table is horizontal as shown in Fig. 1 but in all other commonly used positions of the table from Irendelenburg to vertical. Furthermore, the device of the invention is readily operable with compression or palpating cones conventionally used in X-ray work for forcing portions of the patients body into desired position for fluoroscopy or radiography. Such cones, which are commonly formed of balsa wood or spun aluminum, may be inserted and held in position between the bottom of the tunnel and the body of the patient without interfering with the use and operation of the device for either fiuoroscopy or radiography as described.

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

1. Apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a tunnel member adapted for mounting in conjunction with a source of X-ray radiation, a fluorescent screen positioned in said tunnel, a carriage member mounted for longitudinal movement within said tunnel into and out of line with said fluorescent screen, a film box adapted for readily removable positioning within said carriage and movable therewith, said film box including means for mounting a supply of X-ray sensitive film, means responsive to movement of said carriage within said tunnel for automatically advancing said film by a predetermined length within said film box to position separate areas thereof for exposure, and substantially lightight means enclosing the film-containing portions of said film box and protecting said film from accidental exposure during insertion of said film box in said carriage and said tunnel and removal therefrom.

2. Apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a tunnel member adapted for mounting in conjunction with a source of X-ray spaced from said unexposed film compartment,

means responsive to movement of said carriage within said tunnel for automatically advancing said film from said unexposed film compartment to said exposed film compartment, intensifying screens supported in said carriage adjacent each surface of said film and movable with said carriage away from said screen leaving said screen unobstructed for fluoroscopy and yieldable means for urging said intensifying screens into contact It will also be noted with said film when said carriage is in line with said fluorescent screen.

3. Apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a tunnel member adapted for mounting in conjunction with a source of X-ray I radiation, a fluorescent screen positioned in said tunnel, a carriage membermounted for longitudinal movement within said tunnel into and out of line with said fluorescent screen, a film box adapted for readily removable positioning within said carriage and movable therewith, said film box including a light-tight compartment provided with means for mounting a supply of unexposed X-ray sensitive film, a container providing a separate light-tight compartment for exposed film spacedfrom said unexposed film compartment, convolute means in said exposed film compartment for receiving and guiding the film delivered thereto into a self-coiling roll, means supporting said container in said film box for ready removal therefrom, means responsive to movement of said carriage within said tunnel for automatically advancing said film by a predetermined length from said unexposed film compartment to said exposed film compartment, means for removably mounting said container in said film box, and means supported on said film box for severing said film at a point between said advancing means and said container.

4. Apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a tunnel member adapted for mounting in conjunction with a source of X-ray radiation, a fluorescent screen positioned in said tunnel, a carriage member mounted for longitudinal movement within said tunnel into and out of line with said fluorescent screen, a film boxadapted for readily removable positioning within said carriage and movable therewith, said film box including a light-tight compartment provided with means for mounting a supply of unexposed X-ray sensitive film and means providing a separate light-tight compartment for exposed film spaced from said unexposed film compartment, means responsive to movement of said carriage within said tunnel for automatically advancing said film from said unexposed film compartment to said exposed film compartment, intensifying screens supported in said carriage adjacent each surface of said film and movable with said carriage away from said screen leaving said screen unobstructed for fluoroscopy, yieldable means for urging said intensifying screens into contact with said film when said carriage is in line with said fluorescent screen, means for moving said intensifying screens apart against the urging of said yieldable means'to relieve the pressure of said intensifying screens on said film, and means for actuating said means for moving said intensifying screens apart upon movement of said carriage out of line with said fluorescent screen.

5. Apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a tunnel member adapted for mounting in conjunction with a source of X-ray radiation, a fluorescent screen positioned in said tunnel, a carriage member mounted for longitudinal movement within said tunnel into and out of line with said fluorescent screen, a film box adapted for readily removable positioning within said carriage and movable therewith, said film box including a light-tight compartment having a displaceable cover providing access thereto, means within said compartment for mounting a supply of unexposed X-ray sensitive film, a panel in said compartment adapted to able friction means in said compartment adapted to grip the edges of said film for progressively advancing a predetermined length of said film across said panel to position successive areas of said film in register with said panel for exposure, a container for exposed film carried by said film box outside said compartment, means carried by said carriage for driving said friction means,

means providing a readily disengageable connection between said driving means and said friction means, and means carried by said tunnel for automatically actuating said driving means upon motion of said carriage in said tunnel.

6.- Apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a tunnel member adapted for mounting in conjunction with a source of X- ray radiation, a fluorescent screen positioned in said tunnel, a carriage member mounted for iongitudinal movement within said tunnel into and out of line with said fluorescent screen, and a film box adapted for readily removable positioning within said carriage and movable therewith, said film box including means for mounting a roll of X-ray sensitive film, means responsive to movement of said carriage within said tunnel for automatically advancing said film by a predetermined lengthwithin said film box to position separate areas thereof for exposure, blade means of narrow extent transversely of the film supported by said film box and movable at an angle with respect to said film to provide a, notch in the edge thereof for indicating the margin between adjacent exposed areas, and substantially lighttight means enclosing the film-containing portiom of said film box and protecting said film from accidental exposure during insertion of said film box in said carriage and said tunnel and removal therefrom.

7. Apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a tunnel member adapted for mounting in conjunction with a source of X-ray said container.

radiation, a fluorescent screen positioned in said tunnel, a carriage member mounted forlonsitudinal movement within said tunnel into and out of line with said fluorescent screen, a film box adapted for readily removable positioning within said carriage and movable therewith, said film box including a light-tight compartment provided with means for mounting a roll of X- ray sensitive film, a slot in one wall of said compartment, a removable, light-tight container for exposed film positioned adjacent the outer surface of said wall and having a slot adapted to register with said slot in said wall, means responsive to movement of said carriage within said tunnel for automatically advancing said film from said roll compartment in predetermined lengths through said slots into said container, and cutter means mounted on said film box for movement across said slots, said cutter means having a relatively narrow notching portion and an elongated cut-oil portion extending across the width of said film, and means for selectively.

actuating said notching portion and said cut-off portion to provide a notch in the edge of said film for indicating margin between adjacent exposed areas thereof or to sever said film adjacent DAVID sUssIN.

REFERENCES crrnn The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date.

2,174,738 Eddy Oct. 3, 1939 2,391,191 Powers Dec. 18, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 277,420 Great Britain Sept. 15, 1927 

